DELTA-C-13 VALUES OF SELECTED TERMITES (ISOPTERA) AND TERMITE-MODIFIED MATERIALS

The delta(13)C values of the tissue carbon or 14 termite species showe d clear differences, related to the ranges of their putative diets. On ly small differences in tissue delta(13)C values were apparent between worker and soldier castes in the seven species examined. delta(13)C v alues were higher in the mounds and other constructs of grass-harvesti ng species consuming C4 materials than in the surrounding surface soil s. In contrast, mound delta(13)C values were similar to, or lower than the surface soils in species consuming materials from mixed C3 and C4 or C3 sources. Over all mound and other termite-modified materials, d elta(13)C values were positively and highly correlated with surface so il and tissue values. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.